If you cheered against Will Levis as a Tennessee fan during his college career at Kentucky — he has an important public service announcement on the matter.
“If you’re a Vol fan and you don’t like me simply because you’re a Vol fan, you better stay on that hill,” Levis, now the Tennessee Titans’ starting quarterback, said via KSR’s Drew Franklin. “Don’t change, don’t switch up now. But I’m open to all fans of the Titans with open arms, and, hopefully, at least since I’ve been drafted, I’ve been able to change some people’s opinions.”
He wasn’t entirely serious. After all, he never beat Tennessee while QB1 in Lexington. Still, the Titans’ rookie knows better than to throw a shot toward Vols fans. Levis wouldn’t take the bait when given the opportunity to say something about Kentucky’s rival.
“I know you guys are wanting me to say one,“ Levis said about choosing the most hostile collegiate fanbase. “I can’t say anything about [Tennessee]. They got the best of me in my two years [at Kentucky].”
That they did. The Vols outscored Levis and Kentucky 77-33 in their two meetings, including a 44-6 tail-whooping by the Vols in 2022. The meeting against Tennessee saw Levis finish the game passing for under 100 yards — which was the only time that happened during his senior year.
Of course, Tennessee fans — ironically most likely the same fans that are rooting for his success as the Titans’ QB1 — let him hear about it on social media in the days following the demolition of the Wildcats.
Thankfully, Levis is not taking it personally.
“In the SEC especially, everyone is deep rooted in their faith with their team,” he said, alluding to the Volunteers. “If you’re not with them, you’re against them. There’s definitely some teams that had, I’d say, stronger words or opinions.”
Those words of hatred have turned into slightly more positive ones after their Titans drafted Levis with their second-round selection. Since getting drafted, Levis has made nine starts for Tennessee under center. He’s thrown for 1,808 yards, 8 touchdowns and four interceptions to go with a 3-6 record.
His latest start against the Houston Texans saw him leave the game with injury and he did not return. He was only able to complete two passes for 16 yards. Levis is labeled as questionable for the Titans’ Week 18 season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where Tennessee is five-point underdogs.
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